124 million additional euros for Amisom

(BRUSSELS2) While a major conference on Somalia is scheduled for Brussels on 16 September, the Commission announced today (9 September) a new " envelope of more than 124 million euros to strengthen security in Somalia ". Concretely, this new aid will support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

A “decisive” support

The aim is to cover various costs including troop pay for all AMISOM soldiers, police and civilian components of the mission, as well as running costs of the mission headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya “says the Commission in its press release. This supplement will be used to cover the expenses running from 1 June to 31 December 2013 and will bring the EU's overall contribution to AMISOM to nearly €600 million ". It will allow " AMISOM to continue implementing the mandate given to it by the United Nations Security Council, namely the implementation of active peace support operations in Somalia ».

One goal, stabilize Somalia

“AMISOM plays a vital role in supporting Somalia on the path to stability and lasting peace, until the country can assume full responsibility for its own security. stressed Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Development.

“A New Deal for Somalia”

The speech is enthusiastic. To support this progress, Somalia and its international partners will agree on September 16 in Brussels on a "New Deal" for the future of the country, which will help Somalia to continue on the path of rebuilding a fragile state and healing wounds of a divided nationexplained Catherine Ashton, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs. The aim is to bring together the international community and the people of Somalia to obtain a “compact” for Somalia for the next three years ».